The Voxan Wattman, by Venturi racing, will take on the world speed record once again, before year end.
Owned by the high-performance EV racing team of Venturi, the electric motorcycle brand Voxan together with rider Max Biaggi are planning another attempt at the world speed record, before the year ends.
The team is gearing up to conquer a brand new set of world speed records, after breaking quite a few during their last attempt. They have set no less than 11 new records back in November 2020, as the Voxan Wattman electric motorcycle is being optimized for another speed challenge.
The first world record event for Voxan took place in Châteauroux airfield in France, on 30th and 31st of October and 1st of November. As the Wattman team, along with the rider Max Biaggi, broke the land speed record with a grand total of 11 records for streamlined and semi-streamlined categories.
This amazing motorcycle carries an incredible 317kW (425 HP) pushing it to the forefront of record setting electric motorcycles. Now, after making some changes and tweaks, the team plans to take on the lower weight category for a brand new record.
This time, Voxan will attempt the category under 300 kg before the end of this year, and once again, the motorcycle will be ridden by world motorcycle champion Max Biaggi.
FROM DESERT TO ASPHALT
The original plan for the Voxan Wattman was designed for world record attempts on the planet’s biggest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. But due to restrictions imposed in response to Covid-19 crisis, that opportunity seemed far out of reach. Even at this stage, making arrangements for such a trip under the existing restriction, still is – impossible.
So the decision fell, in the autumn of 2020, to take on the runway of Châteauroux airfield in France. The place was chosen as the venue, and by the end of 2021 Voxan will be setting up camp on another asphalt track.
To preparation for this coming attempt, and to optimize the Wattman motorcycle for the type of surface, the engine and transmission have been tweaked with the expert collaboration of Michelin, the partner and official tyre supplier for the Voxan Wattman.
“I cannot believe the work we’ve done in just a few months. Last November, we were wondering if we’d be able to hit 400 km/h, but now that speed is just the starting point for our work! It’s beyond that pivotal value that we are learning and progressing. With our motivation, the team spirit at Voxan and our hunger to excel, I have no doubt whatsoever that we will succeed”
Max Biaggi, rider of the Voxan Wattman
WEIGHT AND STABILITY
After making their adjustments and changes, the Voxan Wattman should weigh in at under 300 kilograms, enabling it to compete in that category. In a local cooperation with French firm SAFT, that brings extensive experience in both motorsport and the aerospace sector. Gildo Pastor, (President), Franck Baldet (technical director) and Louis-Marie Blondel (the motorcycle’s designer) from Voxan have chosen the company themselves to partner this exciting project.
In order to beat their existing world record of 408 km/h, the team at Venturi/Voxan have also worked on the motorcycle’s air penetration and stability. Testing simulations in a wind tunnel, which does play a crucial role, but also enlisting the help of specialists in fluid dynamics simulation, to take account of the incredibly high speeds targeted.
“Attempting to set new speed records barely a year after posting the very first is exhilarating! I’m fortunate to be able to rely on an inspired and inspirational team that has made the Voxan Wattman the world’s fastest electric motorcycle. Eleven records (confirmed by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) is great but… it’s not enough! I want to keep on and on developing electric mobility.”
Gildo Pastor, President of Venturi-Voxan
We just recently heard the news from White Motorcycle Concepts, with their air-duct design, that also wish to take on the world speed record, as it seems that the battle for record breaking electric motorcycles is heating up. By the end of this year, we will possibly have an even higher bar for the team at White Motorcycle Concepts to beat.
Stay tuned as we keep you posted!
Source: Venturi